10 Topics and a Blogger Face Lift.

I've been working on updating my blog layout, but I don't know as much as I would like to know about web design. So please have patience with me while I'm trying to do some redesigning!
I'm hoping one of my friends will help me out with some ideas I have in my head, but we'll see how that goes!

I love to read your comments, and I love interacting with everyone, so I am going to list 10 random topics that I would love to talk about with everyone.

1. Since I've had the Urban Decay Naked Palette, I haven't found anything that works as a base to keep it from not creasing on me- even Urban Decay Primer Potion isn't working. I've never had this problem with any other eyeshadows, ever! What gives? Got any suggestions? Is this happening to anyone else out there?

2. I repurchased a deodorant yesterday for the third time. I never repurchase things over and over again. Somehow, I feel accomplished. In case anyone is wondering, it's Secret Scent Expressions in the scent, "Truth or Pear." We call my dog, "Pear" a lot (Her name's 'Paris') so I thought the name was cute. I love this deodorant though because it has 19% of the active ingredient that blocks sweat. (Aluminum Zirconium fancy schmancy lol) What's your favorite deodorant? Have you ever repurchased something more than three times?

3. I completely reorganized my makeup set up today. I just wasn't feeling my set up anymore. But I wish I had a vanity.  I put some dry rice in my brush holder to stick my brushes in, and I stuck all of my pencil eyeliners in there too.

4. I went to Wal Mart yesterday, and looked around in the makeup section- I'm on a no buy at the moment though- and they had Lip Butters in the permanent Revlon section. I'm so glad these are a permanent item. Is anyone still having a hard time finding these? There was a very limited selection though.

5. I'm starting a new job on Tuesday, and I'm really excited! It's always so strange starting a new job though, so I'm a little nervous, but excited.

6. I've never been able to keep my nail polish on for longer than 3 days without it chipping very obviously. I finally found a product that keeps my nail polish on. AND I've been able to wear my manicures for a full week. I could probably keep my polish on longer than that, but I get bored with my mani's easily. Orly Bonder Basecoat is the best thing that's ever happened to my nails.

7. I have always preferred liquid foundation, but lately I've come to love mineral foundation. I have about 12 sample packs of mineral foundation of www.everydayminerals.com, and I am in LOVE with the semi-matte formula- I may even prefer it to my liquid foundation now. When I start my new job and have some extra money, I can't wait to place an everyday minerals order.

8. Have you seen the new Loreal Ever Creme Sulfate Free Cleansing Conditioner? I really want to try that- it's like the same idea of WEN. I'm so buying this when I finish up my shampoo and conditioner.

9. Another thing I seriously can't wait to try is the new Garnier BB Cream. Has anyone tried it?

10. I'm absolutely in love with Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eye pencil in Black. I may never buy a different black eye liner ever again. It's amazing. I honestly prefer it over Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero. Have you tried it?

Thrift Store Clothing Haul: $3.19

I went to Salvation Army today and they had three racks of clothes with yellow tags that were 75% off. Salvation Army used to price all of their individual clothing, but now they switched over to a more simple pricing system, similar to the Goodwill's- all women's shirts $2.99, etc.

The items still get a colored tag though. I THINK the yellow tagged items have been there longer than blue tagged items, etc, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, they had all yellow tags 75% off. I picked up a white flowy shirt for $0.75 there last week, so I went back today.

Here's what I got!

My total purchase with tax was $3.19.

Black cropped sweater/bolero/shrug. This has a Mossimo tag on it, with a price of $19.99 on it...I paid $0.75!

I use the flash on this, so the neckline detail would show, but it's really a dark teal, not as bright as in the picture.

It has some rouching designs on the neckline, and fits like a stretch t-shirt. Also $0.75.

This shirt is true to color. It has 3/4 sleeves and a rouched band on the bottom. It has a cool cording that runs through the boatneck collar, and has key hold cut outs. $0.75.

My doggie is sitting on the floor in the picture- say "Hi, Paris!"

A white tuxedo style t-shirt, which looks adorable with the black sweater. $0.75.

Whenever I see solid colored shirts or cardigans for a very cheap price, I try to grab them up! Solid colors can be worn with other solid colors, or they can be worn with things that are harder to pair up, like a leopard print cardigan.

For my body shape, I love shirts that flow away from the body a little bit and have a nice detail at the neckline, as it brings the eye upward and distracts from problem areas.

Have you found any great thrift store finds lately?

ELF Essentials Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed Review

This review is for a product that I am in LOVE with- let's just get that thought out in the open. lol

You can purchase this from ELF's website, find it in Target, or even Kmart, 

and get this: it retails for $1.

This is one of those insanely versatile products that you can use in many different ways.

My favorite thing about this product is that it has a very warm golden shimmer, but it has a rose gold type of undertone to it.

The powder is very soft and blends very easily, it's not chalky at all.

I think this has to be the most versatile product in my collection, and it's only $1.

Left: a very well loved pan, right: a new one in the packaging

I completely used up one, and am now on my second one.

Swatch: a beautiful bronze with a rose gold tone and gold shimmer.

This doesn't have shimmer particles, it's like a metallic type all over shimmer, if that makes sense. lol

Like how a shimmery eyeshadow doesn't have shimmery particles, but it's a shimmery shade? lol

What I use this for:

- This works amazingly to warm up your face. I apply it around the outer edges of my face and it makes me look beautifully tan and glowing.

- It makes a beautiful bronze blush shade

- It applies so smoothly, and makes a great eyeshadow

- This works very well for a lip color too! I just use my finger to apply it on my lips, and add a clear gloss over it.

- I use this with a kabuki brush to blend foundation down my neck, that is too dark.

- I like to use this on my decolletage area, and my shoulders for subtle shimmer.

This bronzer leaves my face glowing better than any other product I've tried. I really love this.

And at $1, it's something I can see myself repurchasing over and over again.

Fancy Floral Nails

I am seriously loving this manicure! 

I used Orly Bonder Base Coat.

2 coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Mint Sorbet

1 coat of Seche Vite Top Coat

Then I waited for that combo to dry, and stamped with Sally Hansen Insta Dri Jumpin' Jade.

(Which sadly got discontinued, but I got it at Kmart for $0.79!- it's sad that it got discontinued because it makes an awesomely opaque stamping polish)

I used Bundle Monster Plate BM-225.

Then I added a second coat of Seche Vite.

The design didn't fit the tips, so I had to do some patch-working to cover my whole nail.

I wore a green dress (unintentionally) yesterday and it looked fantastic with it!

Milani 3D Hi-Res

For some reason, I feel like my camera doesn't do a good job of photographing nail polish accurately. Since I usually paint my nails at night time, I can't take an outdoors pic right away, and I usually just snap a pic on my cell phone and post my manicure on here, with the cell phone picture.

Well, today I pulled out my camera, took nice bottle shots of my mani, and the color just didn't seem right.

I quickly snapped a photo on my cell phone, and while the quality isn't nearly as good as my camera, the color just seems more accurate.

So, today I have Milani Hi- Res from the 3D Holographic Collection.

I ordered this from Milani's Cyber Monday sale- actually, my boyfriend paid for them, and held on to them as a Christmas present for me. 

I also got the Bundle Monster stamping plates for Christmas, so I have been busy stamping, and haven't actually worn any of the Milani holo polishes that I got. I haven't seen these in stores near me, but a friend in Virginia Beach was able to find them at her CVS.

Milani Hi-Res is a lavender base with linear holographic glitter.

It makes me think of Lisa Frank binders and glittery pencils, from when I was a kid.

It also makes me think of what unicorn manes would look like!

The formula on this was really thin, but it was easy to work with, and dried very quickly.

This is two coats- you can still see some VNL(visible nail line) when the light shows through, but it's pretty opaque enough to not need a third coat.

I used Orly Bonder Base Coat and INM Out The Door Topcoat. 

(Dare I say that's my Holy Grail combo?)

Crazy Makeup on a Rainy Day

A giant stash of makeup, plus being home on a rainy day, equals a crazy makeup experiment.

I used a TON of products! Some where used in multiple places on my face, but here's the full list of what I used.

ELF Essentials All Over Cover Stick in Light Beige
Everyday Minerals Semi-Matte Base in Light Olive
Vapour Organics Aura Radiant Blush in Foxy
ELF Studio Blush & Bronzer Duo (Bronzer only)
ELF Studio Eyeshadow single in Amethyst
ELF Studio Blush in Pink Passion
ELF Studio Blush in Gotta Glow
ELF Studio Blush in Fuschia Fusion
ELF Essentials Eyelid Primer in Pearl
Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk
ELF Studio Cream Eyeliner in Teal Tease
Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette:
Junkshow, Tainted, Omen, Evidence, Deep End
Wet N Wild 8 pan Petal Pusher Eyeshadow Palette:
1st column, 2nd row
Bundle Monster 120 Eyeshadow Palette
a matte purple shade
Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Gel liner- Green Eyes, purple shade
Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner Black
NYC Sky Rise Lengthening Mascara
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara
NYX Round LIpstick in Gem

New from Milani for 2012

Milani has a ton of new products out! Check them out HERE!

There are new shades, and brand new products! They look so awesome!

Unfortunately, I can only find Milani at my local Kmart and CVS, and the selection is very limited.

I wish I could find more Milani products locally!

What do you think of the new products?

Gray and Silver Stamping Manicure

I put down the gray base first, and then wanting to go in with some tone on tone stamping.
I used: Orly Bonder Base coat; 2 coats Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Wet Cement; 1 coat Out The Door Top coat.
Then I stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM-201 using Revlon Carbonite. Lastly, I added a second coat of Out The Door Topcoat.

Just for a moment, I'd like to ramble about how amazing the Orly Bonder Basecoat is. If you saw the previous mani I showed, I'd just like to brag for a moment, that I wore that manicure for 7 days, and only had chipping on one finger. (There was tip wear on all of my fingers, but I can live with tip wear.) This is a miracle for me, considering I bathe dogs at my work, wash dishes, and scrub cages clean.

It's raining and overcast here, so I couldn't snap a good picture, but from far away, you can't see the design at all. It's very subtle, and I actually don't mind- because I'm starting a second part time job this week! Hoorayyy!

Urban Decay Naked Palette VS. Fake Naked Palette from Ebay

If you have been following my blog, you'll know I purchased an Urban Decay Naked Palette from Ebay that was counterfeit. I got my money back through PayPal, but kept the palette.

If you purchased a Naked Palette from Ebay and want to know if your palette is fake, 

Click Here!

I then received the real Urban Decay Naked Palette from my boyfriend for Christmas.

I have swatched the two of them, and are going to compare them. This will be pic heavy, because there are 12 shades. 

*The quality of the "Faked" palette is not that good. The brush is a different story, but the eyeshadows bead up when you try to apply them, but they are workable. They apply best with your finger tip or a sponge tip applicator. Whereas the Naked palette quality is great- those shadows can be applied with anything. Also, the Faked palette only contains shimmer- no glitter at all.

Top: Naked Palette, bottom: "Faked" Palette

Now for the swatches! For identification purposes, all shades will have (f) for Faked, and (n) for Naked. All are in the same order though, Faked on the left, Naked on the right.

VIRGIN (F), (N)

This swatch is going to make it seem like the Faked Palette beats the Naked palette by far, but that is not the case. However, I honestly prefer Virgin from the Faked Palette.

Virgin (f)- Pearly white with beige, multicolor shimmer, almost metallic

Virgin (n)- beige white satin base with mulitcolor shimmer

Winner- Faked.

Sin (f), (n)

It looks like the Virgin swatch should belong to the same palette that the real Sin swatch would.

Sin (f)- Rose gold with pink, multicolor shimmer

Sin (n)- Metallic champagne pink

Winner: I LOVE the rose gold shade of the Faked Sin, but...

Winner- Naked.

Naked (f), (n)

They seem more similar in the swatch, but in real life, the faked shadow is hard, and doesn't have much color pay off.

Naked (f)- a taupey matte brown

Naked (n)- a taupey matte brown with red undertones

Because of the blendability and better color pay off...

Winner- Naked.

Sidecar (f), (n)

The Faked Sidecar actually blends really well, but it contains no glitter, like the real shade.

Sidecar(f)- A metallic taupe with a champagne tone

Sidecar (n)- A metallic taupe with red undertones and chunky silver glitter

The real decision comes for a winner comes down to if you like glitter or not, and well...

Winner- Naked (I love glitter!)

Buck (f), (n)

Yup, you're seeing this right, Buck is more pigmented in the fake palette, but the color is different.

Buck (f)- A medium reddish sheer matte brown

Buck (n)- a milky medium sheer matte brown

Honestly, I don't really care for matte shades, I never have, but for pigmentation levels...

Winner- Faked.

Half Baked (f) (n) [My personal favorite!!!]

These are very different, but both are lovely shades.

Half Baked (f)- This is a light golden shimmer, it makes a fantastic highlight.

Half Baked (n)- A super metallic coppery gold

Because gold is one of my favorite eyeshadow colors, and I like it bold...

Winner- Naked.

Smog (f), (n)

This is the best shade from the Faked Palette.

Both shades are equally pigmented and both blend well.

Smog (f)- A metallic bronze 

Smog (n)- A metallic bronze with a golden copper undertone

These are both awesome shades and look lovely with my eye color...

Winner- Tie!

Darkhorse (f), (n)

Two very different shades.

Darkhorse (f)- a metallic gray based dark brown

Darkhorse (n)- a metallic dark brown with micro glitter

Both of these are nice, but the faked Darkhorse tends to look muddy...

Winner- Naked.

Toasted (f), (n)

These are very, very similar.

Toasted (f)- A lavender toned medium pink shimmer

Toasted (n)- a champagne medium pink shimmer

Faked Toasted has more of a purple tone to it, while Naked Toasted has more pink...

Winner- Naked.

Hustle (f), (n)

Faked wins in pigmentation here.

Hustle (f)- A gray toned shimmery plummy brown

Hustle (n)- a shimmery sheer plummy brown

The pigmentation on the Faked Hustle wins, but it looks muddy on the lid...

Winner- Naked.

Creep (f), (n)

Faked Creep looks similar to Naked Gunmetal, although Faked Creep looks black in the pan.

Creep (f)- a metallic darkened gunmetal gray shade with shimmer

Creep (n)- a satin black with mulitcolor shimmer

Because I like my crease color very dark...

Winner- Naked.

Lastly, Gunmetal (f), (n)

These are very similar, both have a denim blue undertone.

Gunmetal (f)- a metallic gunmetal gray

Gunmetal (n)- a metallic gunmetal gray with silver microglitter

Because I love glitter, and because this one blends better even with glitter...

Winner- Naked.

So, to tally things up: Faked: 2; Naked: 9; Tie: 1.

The winning bid for my Faked palette was $35, whereas the the Naked Palette was $48. 

(I actually paid $46.12 with a coupon)

Overall, the Faked palette isn't bad exactly, but the Naked palette far exceeds it. Though I with the real Virgin was as great as the fake one!

Proactiv X Out Review

To purchase X Out, you can visit their website http://www.xout.com

Basically, Proactive has released a product designed to be used as a face wash, a face mask, and a spot treatment, marketed toward high school- college aged people.

On the left, is the trial size bottle I received complimentary from Influenster in my Holiday Vox Box. For more information on Influenster, Click Here

On the right, is what the packaging looks like when you order directly from the X Out website.

Here's what they have to say about X Out:

The unique, one-step X Out™ Wash-In Treatment is formulated to help kill the bacteria that causes breakouts, help banish existing pimples and help leave the skin feeling smooth and looking healthy.  

X Out™ works to lift away the dirt and grime that can clog pores.  The Wash-In Treatment also leaves behind powerful medicine to help keep pores clean.  Learn more and purchase at XOut.com.  X Out is sold as a 30-day supply and comes with a bonus Shine Control product to help you fight oil all day for $19.95.  

I've been putting off doing this blog post to get a good feel for the product, and I have a lot to say about it, now that I've been using it!

What I liked:

-The pump function on the bottle was great. You could control how much you were pumping out, so no product would go to waste.

-The scent. One of the biggest complaints I had about the original Proactiv, was the horrible scent it had. This scent is actually pleasant, and it leaves your face smelling good- not like chemicals.

-The moisturizing abilities. Just to clarify, I have dry skin, with acne. Whenever I shop for acne treatment products in stores, I only buy Salicylic acid based products, because Benzoyl Peroxide dries my skin out beyond belief. It makes all of my acne turn into dry, scabby patches. X out practically has prescription strength Benzoyl Peroxide, yet the moisturizing ingredients added counteract the drying effect- somehow. I have never used a product with Benzoyl Peroxide that didn't dry my face out. I am very impressed with this aspect.

-It actually helps my acne!

What I didn't like:

-While this product is marketed as a 3 step product, I'm not sure it's any different than any other face wash. It does hard into a mask, but when used as a mask, it burned my face, and left it really red. I also didn't feel like this worked well as a spot treatment either, because you have to wash it off, you can't leave it on overnight.

-The menthol level in this product concerns me. I've been told that menthol breaks down the collagen production levels in your skin over time, and continuously using this product daily would worry me. Also, like I mentioned earlier, it does tingle a little too much due to the menthol- especially when used as a mask.

-You can tell by the packaging that mentions using your smart phone to read QR codes to watch videos, homework mentions, etc that this product is geared for teens.  That being said, I think it should be available in drugstores. Proactiv has enough of a following that it would be successful in drugstores. Many teens do not have credit/debit cards to purchase this product themselves.

-Lastly, the cost of this product seems outrageous to me. Granted, it works well, but $20 for one product is too much, especially if you think of it as $20/month. I wouldn't pay more than $15 for this, honestly, and I think that if it was in drugstores, Proactiv could afford to lower the price, and they would make more profit, by moving more product.

I think Proactiv is really onto something with this product, but there are a few flaws.

Lower the menthol level, make the accessibility better to the targeted age, and lower the cost. (Let's face it, teens don't make a lot of money, and most wouldn't be able to afford this.)

French Tip Mani with Bundle Monster Stamping

My cuticle area looks so dry! Please ignore that! I used acetone polish remover, and didn't get to cleaning up my cuticle area, and putting cuticle oil on yet.

I used:

1 coat Orly Bonder Basecoat

I freehanded the french tip with 2 coats of Wet N Wild Fast Dry Teal of Fortune

1 coat over french tip with Revlon Blue Mosaic

I stamped using Bundle Monster Plate BM- 224 with Wet N Wild Wild Shine Black Creme

and 1 coat INM Out The Door Quick Dry Topcoat

I wish I didn't add the Blue Mosaic in, I think it looked better before!

This is the first time I've done a french tip nail design in a very long time!

Rafflecopter's Giveaway!

Enter for your chance to win a Kindle or Ipad!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Nail Polish Rack and Nail Polish Collection

One of my Christmas presents from my boyfriend, was a nail polish rack, he made himself! We purchased foam board from Wal Mart and made put it together with a trusty hot glue gun. He spray painted stencils on the board, but you couldn't see much of it after the polishes got put on.

Aaaaaand here's my polish collection! I took this with my cell phone, so the quality is kind of crappy!

Row 1: Base coats, top coats and treatments.

Row 2: Sinful Colors

Row 3: Revlon, Revlon Top Speed, Revlon Scented, and Color Club

Row 4: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear, OPI

Row 5: LA Colors, Orly, Milani

Row 6: Wet N Wild Wild Shine, Wet N Wild Fast Dry, CQ

Row 7: Random polishes that I only have one of

I am so excited to have this! Before, I stored my polishes in a tupperware container, then a cardboard box. Now I can see all of my polishes at once, and I can see how much is left in the bottle, since the polish levels out when standing upright.

I thought I'd have more room for expansion though! The foam board was about $3/ sheet, and we used 2 sheets, but purchased 3. Very inexpensive! I got the idea from YouTube tutorials, so be sure to search for "home made polish rack foam board" (for example) if you're interested in creating one your self!

Two Manis and My Ferret!

First up, Orly Fowl Play from the Birds of A Feather Collection.

This was my first time wearing this, and it is my only flakie polish. (Sad story.)

I like it, but I'm not insanely impressed with it. I love the sheer jelly base color, but I feel like it needed to be slightly lighter to show off the flakie glitter and the blue shimmer.

Here's a picture of my ferret, Princess Leia. (We call her "Leia.") 

She was sleeping all curled up in a blanket, like a "Leia" Burrito! :)

And lastly, a stamping mani I did, and am currently wearing.

I used 2 coats of Sinful Colors Cream Pink as the base color (Over Orly Bonder). It's one of my favorite pink polishes that I own: it's slightly neon, dries semi-matte but has some subtle gold shimmer.

I stamped using Bundle Monster plates (I can't remember the plate # though) using Wet and Wild Wild Shine Black Creme. Then I used Milani 3D Holographic nail polish in Digital to dot  between the circles in the pattern. I just used the brush in the bottle to do this. Then I topped everything off with 1 coat of INM Out The Door Quick Dry Top Coat.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this on my blog yet or not, but my amazing boyfriend recently built me a nail polish rack! I'll be posting pictures of it soon- the only ones I have of it now are blurry cell phone pics!

The Polished Perfectionist's Giveaway

This has to be one of the BEST giveaway prizes I've ever seen! I have seen the HITS Specialita holos all over beauty blogs, and drool over them all the time! I've never seen such lovely holo polishes before, and I love the names!

Enter here!

Vote for Lash Girl for The Next Rimmel 10!

I met the adorable Lash Girl through the ELF Cosmetics Facebook page. 

Check our her cute blog right on over Here.

You can also find her on Facebook Here, and on Youtube Here.

Lash Girl is the greatest- and let me tell you why!

Lash Girl posted a giveaway for the Jemma Kid Hydrating Gloss Stick, and I entered on Youtube..but I have two Youtube Channels- one I've had for probably 5 years now, and one I just started- (the older one, I use for personal things, and the second one for beauty related things.)

Well, my youtube just randomly logs me in sometimes, without me choosing which one I'm logging in to. I didn't know, but I was commenting on Lash Girl's video with my old account- which is tied to my old email that I NEVER check. (That's also my "spam" email account now!)

So I happened to check my old email- 2 months after entering Lash Girls' giveaway, and discovered she sent me an email saying I won her giveaway and wanted my shipping info.

I emailed her back, apologizing over and over, and she said she had saved it for me!

I was ecstatic! I STILL haven't blogged about the goodies she sent me, but I use that gloss stick all the time- It smells like chocolate! 

(I have swatched and taken photos on 3 different occasions and still haven't gotten around to posting it...)

But anyway, my point is that Lash Girl made it into the final 20 for the Next Rimmel 10 girls!

Congrats!

So vote for Sarah H. -she's so sweet! :)

https://apps.facebook.com/nxtrimmlten/?nxtid=413

Good Luck, Lash Girl! :)